Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ will be hosting a FREE Social Justice Forum on February 25, 2018 at 11:30 AM. We will screen the new documentary movie "Fix It - Healthcare at the Tipping Point" followed by a Q&A discussion with local healthcare activists. A light lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to socialjustice@bethelbeaverton.org.

A powerful documentary that reaches across the political and ideological divide, "Fix It" makes the case for business leaders support for major healthcare reform. The film was two years in the making, with more than forty voices advocating for reform, including: activists, health policy experts, economists, physicians, nurses, patients, business and labor leaders.

Each year during Advent, Bethel offers a quieter, more meditative worship service for those who are coping with serious illness, grief, loss, or any of the other difficulties and challenges of life. The Blue Christmas Worship Service gives us an opportunity to give voice to our pain and frustration, and the opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit to minister to us through candle light, music, and, if desired, the ancient practice of anointing with oil. This year's Blue Christmas Worship will take place on Sunday, December 10 at 2 pm in Bethel's sanctuary.

THIS Sunday, December 3 you'll have an opportunity to "Live Abundantly in Uncertain Times" by dedicating your pledge of time, talent, and treasure. Please bring your pledge card with you THIS Sunday. Extra pledge cards and hard copies of the Time & Talent will be available at the church. Remember you can complete your Time and Talent form online by clicking on this link. If you are unable to attend, drop them in the offering plate the next Sunday you're with us or deliver to the office.

Every 2nd and 4th Mondays from 7-8:30 pm, a group of people meet in the Conference Room at Bethel to practice our compassionate communication (NVC) skills. Come and be a part of the fun as we practice and hone our compassionate listening ears. No matter your level of experience or whether you've attended a group in the past, you are welcome to join us.

This fall I have been inspired by a book, The Leading Causes of Life, by Gary Gunderson and Larry Pray. It begins with what’s obvious, but difficult to do: focus your energy and attention on what affirms life rather than what threatens or destroys it.

I hear the word faith quite often, especially here at church in regards to our religion; but what does faith really mean? According to my dictionary; Faith is something that is believed especially with strong conviction. What a vague definition! I needed to know more, so, like any good researcher I began asking questions; What does faith look like? What do others believe in? What does strong conviction look like? I looked at home, I looked at school, I even looked at gym practice. But I ended up right back where I started; here at Bethel.

So I asked other people what they believed in. Most people said they believed in God, or maybe their church. Some weren’t sure what they believed in.

As many of you know, we are Monique and Nikki Manley-Smith. We have been members here at Bethel UCC for close to a year and a half now (give or take). Which seems odd to think about because we feel like Bethel is so ingrained in our lives now that it’s hard to believe that there was a time (and it wasn’t that long ago) when it wasn’t. Today we are going to share with you the blessings of community that we have witnessed at Bethel. But before we go putting the horse before the cart how about we give you a bit of our history.

I, unlike Mo, did not grow up in the church. I actually found Christ while smack dab in the middle

When David asked me to share with you some of the reasons I’m so devoted to this church, I had my doubts. How to abbreviate almost 80 years into a few minutes was going to be tough, but I decided to tap into the passionate side (as David puts it) of my persona and share a few incidences that make this church, this Bethel, my faith community home and, indeed, an emerging pillar of Beaverton society. Let me give you a wee bit of my family history.

My mother, at 11 months in age and having lost her own mother to the Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1917, was raised by the Designers who were next door neighbors and two of the original members of this church. They were also parents to 3 boys and 1 girls of their own. The family then was

THIS Sunday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM the Beaverton Community Band will be performing a FREE public concert at Bethel UCC. An offering will be taken, and 100% of the proceeds will go to Bethel!

Invite a friend to attend THIS Sunday, and let's show the band how much Bethel appreciates them! If you've never seen the Beaverton Community Band before, here is a video from an earlier concert at Bethel. Click the link, you'll be impressed! https://youtu.be/4J-JIBjA1uk?t=131

I read this book, a birthday present from my son Michael, while flying to Cleveland for the Common Global Ministries Fall 2017 meetings. Why not get closer to God while a citizen of the City in the Sky, part of the one million people in flight at any given moment in time? Walter Brueggemann is one of my favorite theologians, an elder statesman of the United Church of Christ. In under 100 pages, he insightfully lays out the case for Sabbath observance as a revolutionary act, an act of resistance against the 24/7/365, BUY NOW culture of ceaseless activity and endless greed in which we live in 21st century America.

Brueggemann is a noted Hebrew Scriptures scholar. His analysis of the socio-economic realities surrounding the commandment to cease work on the seventh day reveals the depth and breadth of his knowledge of the ancient Hebrew texts. He makes a compelling case that

Beaverton High School has identified 86 students who are currently homeless. Some are doubled up with other families, and 7 are in motels or unsheltered. These homeless students depend on the meals they receive at BHS each school day, but the BHS cafeteria is closed for 15 days during Winter Break. This means they must do without the school meals they so rely on. Principal Anne Erwin believes that caring for these homeless students is a key to their HS graduation. Graduating positively changes these students’ lives forever.

Join us at PFLAG Portland Washington County for a discussion on all we learned at the PFLAG National Convention! If you weren't able to attend our Convention, please join us a lively discussion on the many workshops offered, the introduction of our new National Executive Director, Dr. Jaime Grant, and the future of PFLAG. Sharing circle to follow.